Tree City USA Pepper Pike was named a Tree City USA for the fourth consecutive year in 2003. We are still waiting to find out if we will retain this title for a fifth consecutive year in 2004. The Tree City USA honor is awarded by the National Arbor Day Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to tree planting and environmental stewardship. There are four requirements a community must have in order to qualify for Tree City USA. An acting tree board, department, or commission: The Beautification Committee acts as the Tree Commission for Pepper Pike. The Tree Commission is responsible for establishing a successful Community Tree Management Program. The 2005 Beautification Committee / Tree Commission members are Jean Bain, Julie Bonebrake, Karen Erlenbach, Wanda Hansler, and Marty Kirsch. The City Council Representative is Rick Taft. A Community Tree Ordinance: The Community Tree Ordinance was passed by City Council in 2000. It mandates the City to establish and maintain a Comprehensive Urban Forestry Program, which we have successfully managed for four years. An annual tree budget of at least $2.00 per capita (per resident): In 2004, Pepper Pike planted 169 trees throughout the City. These plantings, along with other tree maintenance performed by the Service Department, allowed us to maintain an annual budget of well over $2 per capita. Hold an annual Arbor Day celebration: Arbor Day was celebrated on August 29, 2004, at which time the City planted two new trees in the Pepper Pike Park. For more information about Tree City USA and Arbor Day visit the following website: www.arborday.org